SANDY CREEKS ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT
SANDY CREEKS ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENTSTAKEHOLDER OUTREACHREPORTPrepared for:NEW YORK STATETUG HILL COMMISSION317 Washington StWatertown NY 13601-3782Prepared by:EcoLogic, LLCAquatic, Terrestrial and Wetland ConsultantsCazenovia, NY 13035November 19, 2007This report was prepared for the NewYork State Department of State with fundsprovided by the NYS EnvironmentalProtection Fund.
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal Report
TABLE OF CONTENTSSECTION 1: INTRODUCTION . . .1SECTION 2: METHODS2.1 Initial open-invitation stakeholder meeting . . . . 32.2 Focus groups . 42.3 Final open-invitation stakeholder meeting . .5SECTION 3: RESULTS3.1 Native species and natural communities .63.2 Economically successful natural resource-based industries .83.3 Intact forests and high quality streams .93.4 Threats to the Sandy Creeks watershed ecosystem .103.5 Application of ecosystem-based management to the Sandy Creeks region . 123.6 Stakeholder recommendations for specific ecosystem-based management projects.13SECTION 4: DISCUSSION . 15SECTION 5: RECOMMENDATIONS 17LIST OF APPENDICESAppendix 1: Documentation of stakeholder outreachAppendix 2: Database of comments
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal Report
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal ReportSECTION 1: INTRODUCTIONEcoLogic LLC was selected by the Tug Hill Commission to design and implement a stakeholderoutreach program in support of the Ecosystem-based Management Strategic Plan for the SandyCreeks Watershed. This assignment was completed between June and October, 2007, as onecomponent of a broader effort to develop an ecosystem-based management plan for this region ofeastern Lake Ontario and its watershed.Ecosystem-based management is an adaptive, integrated approach to managing resources for asustainable future. The goal is to manage the entire ecosystem, including humans, in a way thatwill ensure healthy, productive and resilient environments. Sandy Creeks is one of twodemonstration areas in New York State designed to pilot ecosystem-based management byunderstanding the connections between ecosystems and the people who live and work in them.The other demonstration area is Great South Bay on Long Island. The project stems from theNew York Ocean and Great Lakes Ecosystem Conservation Act of 2006 that established aCouncil composed of nine state agencies charged with implementing ecosystem-basedmanagement at a state-wide level.Findings from the two demonstration projects, which are located in very different naturalresource and cultural environments, will inform efforts to adopt ecosystem-based managementthroughout New York. As implemented in other regions of the United States, ecosystem-basedmanagement has four components.1. Partnerships and citizen participation. Work together with citizens, landowners,businesses, local governments, interest organizations, and other agencies to faceproblems, identify opportunities and find common solutions.2. Science-based approach. Use the best available scientific knowledge (social, economic,and ecological) as a foundation for decision-making; understand natural resourceinterrelationships, and focus on sustainability of whole ecological systems.3. Long-term view. Establish long-term goals for desired ecosystem conditions thatmaintain the capacity of the land to sustain public benefits and opportunities into thefuture. Identify measurable targets, and be ready to adapt to new information.4. Comprehensive perspective. Find solutions that support economic prosperity, lastinglivelihoods, and ecological health.New York State in conjunction with the Tug Hill Commission, The Nature Conservancy, andconsultants Biohabitats and Camoin Associates, is developing a framework for ecosystem-basedmanagement within the Sandy Creeks watershed. The ecosystem-based management planningprocess emphasizes stakeholder involvement and local input. The Tug Hill Commission is theregional partner ensuring that local needs and knowledge are represented in the project.The stakeholder outreach initiative was conducted early in the overall Sandy Creeks pilot projectThe EcoLogic assignment encompassed two objectives: first, to begin educating local partnersEcoLogic LLC1
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal Reportand stakeholders on the ecosystem-based management concept; and second, to solicit specificinput regarding what ecosystem “services” (functions and values) are most important.Ultimately, effective watershed management requires far more than a narrow focus on waterquality. A planning process that directly engages residents in a long conversation about whatthey value and how to restore and protect these resources is essential.EcoLogic LLC2
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal ReportSECTION 2: METHODSEcoLogic began this assignment with a project scoping session that included representatives ofthe project partners: the Tug Hill Commission, Department of State/ New York Ocean and GreatLakes Ecosystem Conservation Council staff, and New York State Department of EnvironmentalConservation. The project team discussed the status of the ecosystem-based managementinitiative and identified key stakeholders. Finally, the project steering committee agreed to thefollowing project sequence: initial open-invitation stakeholder meeting five to seven focus groups, final open-invitation stakeholder meeting2.1 Initial Open-Invitation Stakeholder MeetingThe initial open-invitation stakeholder meeting was held on June 27, 2007 at Sandy Island BeachState Park. Contact lists for invitations were generated by the Tug Hill Commission. Invitationswere sent electronically when possible, and included a newsletter describing the ecosystembased management demonstration program. For invitees without email addresses, the letter andnewsletter were mailed. A follow-up email was sent in advance of the meeting, and calls weremade to those without email.The agenda for the initial open-stakeholder meeting introduced the ecosystem-basedmanagement concept and described the New York State Ocean and Great Lakes ConservationCouncil initiative. Following the introductions, staff scientists from EcoLogic facilitated an opendiscussion that solicited input on three interrelated topics. Discussion regarding the attributes of the Sandy Creeks ecosystem that were of highestvalue to respondents. What do we have now? What aspects of the ecosystem are mostimportant—of greatest value—to you, with an emphasis on natural resources and social,economic sustainability? What are the issues and challenges facing the Sandy Creeks ecosystem over the next fiveto ten years? What are some tools (educational, scientific, regulatory, etc.) that might help stakeholdersface these challenges and protect this area for future generations?Statements from this initial stakeholder meeting were entered into a Microsoft Access database.EcoLogic LLC3
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal Report2.2 Focus GroupsFollowing the initial stakeholder meeting, EcoLogic hosted a series of focus groups. Contact listswere provided by Tug Hill Commission. Seven focus groups were held; six were limited toparticipants representing a defined interest and the seventh was held as an open group for thosewith scheduling conflicts. Several individual interviews were conducted as well, by telephone, inperson, or through written correspondence.Focus Group NameDateLocationAgricultureAugust 6, 2007Sandy Island Beach State ParkBusinessAugust 29, 2007Sandy Island Beach State ParkConservationJuly 25, 2007Sandy Island Beach State ParkForesters and Large LandownersAugust 30, 2007Sandy Island Beach State ParkMunicipalitiesJuly 30, 2007Adams Center Municipal BuildingRecreation and AnglersAugust 8, 2007Sandy Island Beach State ParkOpen InvitationAugust 15, 2007Sandy Island Beach State ParkEach focus group, typically encompassing four to ten participants, lasted approximately onehour. The project team kept extensive notes and most of the sessions were recorded.After brief introductions, the discussions were guided to address the topics of interest. Onemember of the EcoLogic team, Dr. Linda Wagenet, facilitated all seven focus groups to ensurecontinuity in how the questions were phrased. The focus group discussion was informal, andindividuals were free to express their views at any time. Participants were asked to respond to thefollowing questions.1. What is your background and interest in the Sandy Creeks watershed? (What brought you tothis meeting tonight?)2. To start out, think back about fifteen years. How would you compare the state of this regionat that time to what it is now? You can consider this in natural resource terms, recreationalterms, social terms, however you’d like.EcoLogic LLC4
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal Report3. Now think ahead about fifteen years. Given the current trends in population, land use,economic development; will this be an area where your family wants to settle?4. Why or why not? What factors will change the Sandy Creeks region?5. Which of these can be controlled?6. I’d like each of you to mention one or two priority projects that you believe can effectivelyimprove the future of the Sandy Creeks ecosystem.Data from the focus groups were entered into the custom database developed for this project.2.3 Final open-invitation stakeholder meetingA final open-invitation stakeholder meeting was held on September 20, 2007, to report on whathad been heard during the focus groups. Members of the EcoLogic project team made aPowerPoint presentation (included in Appendix 1) and facilitated a discussion regarding whetherthe findings adequately captured the discussion and issues raised in the focus groups. Participantswere also asked in what ways they would like to remain involved with and informed of theecosystem-based management process. Statements made at the final stakeholder meeting wereincorporated into the database developed for the project.EcoLogic LLC5
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal Report
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal ReportSECTION 3: RESULTSAn analysis of the data collected revealed several themes concerning resident visions for theSandy Creeks watershed as well as the practicality of implementing ecosystem-basedmanagement in this region. The focus groups responded to three overarching questions: Whatelements of the Sandy Creeks watershed ecosystem(s) are important? What are the threats to theSandy Creeks watershed ecosystem? How might ecosystem-based management work in thisregion? This section of the report will discuss participant reaction to these questions as well asfindings from the final stakeholder meeting.The initial stakeholder meeting uncovered three basic areas that are important to residents of theSandy Creeks ecosystem: a) native species and natural communities; b) economically successfulnatural resource-based industries (including forestry, agriculture, recreation, and fisheries); andc) intact forests and high quality streams. These three basic areas, which are components ofecosystem-based management, were echoed in the focus groups when the discussions centeredon changes observed over the years.3.1 Native species and natural communitiesWhen considering native species and natural communities, much of the discussion related toinvasive species, the dunes and the beaches. There was almost universal understanding of theadverse impacts of invasive species and a strong perception that invasive species have increasedin both numbers and impacts in recent years. Effective solutions to ameliorate the continuedwaves of invasive species are not obvious, and several respondents noted that increasedregulation might be at least a part of the answer.3.1.1 Representative comments on invasive species“The last eleven years the winters are milder. Invasives are coming in. Global warming, is thiscoming into play? More temperate conditions are favorable for different species.”“There is a changing habitat and we are losing native species.”“Invasives are not just on the dunes but all throughout the watershed, changing the ecology ofthe area.”“[In terms of invasives], there are long-term impacts. Without anyone really enforcing I thinkwe’re almost on the road to disaster.”“We need to cooperate to control invasives. For example, my neighbor has lots of swallowwort,but she claimed it wasn’t her problem but the guy she’d granted hunting rights to.”3.1.2 Representative comments related to the dunesMany participants felt strongly that the dunes are quite important to the area, both from a naturaland an economic standpoint. There was general agreement that the Dune Coalition has done aEcoLogic LLC6
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal Reportgood job of bringing back and guarding the dunes. However, some participants noted thatadditional enforcement might be needed to sustain this vital resource in an effective manner.“[In the past] we would all walk over dunes; nobody knew any different, pure sand. Big fires onthe beach at night. Then TNC came in and fenced. Now it’s wonderful, there are raisedboardwalks, lush beachgrass and vegetation.”“Black Pond is a different story. The boardwalk has been there for 6 years, now we have moreuse – and we see abuse. There’s too much parking.”“Success story of the dunes. One of the ways this area has changed. Positive because ofeducation changing the mindset. We didn’t know any different.”“There’s no way of regulating it – somebody can tear down a dune and get away with it. DECwill come, but somebody has to turn them in.”“The sense of local perspective is very small-scale. People around the dunes are only concernedabout the dunes.”“I think the Dune Coalition is a well-respected group in the community.”“The Dune Coalition does a great job. But they don’t address high water. I think they try, butthey run their heads into the wall and get beaten down. Nobody cares.”“Need to keep people off the dunes. There are still fires, swimmers, people with ATVs.”3.1.3 Representative comments related to the beachesThe stakeholder focus groups revealed a concern about loss of beach area and general erosion.They had observed a real change in access and availability of beaches. Although in most casesthis related to recreational pursuits, there was also a concern expressed in one focus groupregarding potential loss of habitat for wildlife.“You can no longer walk from Salmon River to Sandy Pond inlet. I used to walk it all the time.You have to walk in people’s yards now, because there’s zero beach.”“Last time we had a beach was in 1992. Very high water, somehow or other it never came back.”“Property owners are interested in the state of the beach on the property that they own. Somepeople are diligently out there with their tractors and rakes, and they’re raking the beach out tothe sea wall. We try to live with the natural ecology of the beach, whereas some owners areclearing out, planting grass, mowing the lawn and stuff like that. I don’t mow the lawn; it’sbeach grass. Some property owners have cleared way back; some have kept the dunes; somehave tried to re-establish the natural vegetation on the dunes. DEC would not let one propertyowner transplant beach grass from other sites in the area – she had to order from New Jersey andit’s not the same kind of beach grass.”EcoLogic LLC7
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal Report“Let’s reserve some beaches for wildlife.”3.2 Economically successful natural resource-based industriesThe discussion about an economically successful natural resource based industry (i.e.,agriculture and recreation) revealed an understanding on the part of participants that the SandyCreeks watershed is a valuable resource that needs to be preserved for economic viability of theregion and that there needs to be cooperation among the various factions. This is especially truein loss of farmland most notably for recreation purposes. Examples of participant comments aregiven below.3.2.1 Representative comments related to agricultureThere was a concern among all focus group participants that changes in the agriculturalenterprises in the area would have an economic impact as well as an aesthetic one. There was anappreciation of the water resources and good land for agriculture in the area. Maintaininghistorical land uses, such as dairy and other agriculture, was seen to be essential to preserve therural character of the watershed. However, there was also recognition of the potential for conflictamong diverse land use interests.“The rural quality of life is what residents cherish and tourists seek. Let’s not lose that.”“People, when they come in, don’t understand dairy farming or other farming except what’s beenfed to them in ‘ag-entertainment’.”“[There has been a] change in attitude. A neighbor chased our manure truck down the road: ‘Youcan’t spread there. My dog goes in there’ and it was our land!”“Agricultural lands are going to hunting/recreation; land is taken out of use for farming.”“Conflicts exist between agriculture and new neighbors because of a lack of understanding andcommunication.”“Land values are escalating because farmers want land, too. Carving out a small corner is lessprevalent.”“I went to a farm auction that divided the farm by taxing jurisdictions into six parcels. All weresold for the intended use of housing/recreation. People can build a house and watch the deer goby.”“If enough people move in, there won’t be any farmers left. People move into the country anddon’t want to smell the smells, see the dust, and deal with the noise.”“Farmers need to find ways to communicate and prove we are doing a responsible job.”EcoLogic LLC8
Sandy Creeks Ecosystem-based Management Stakeholder OutreachFinal Report“People have no concept of what is a large farm, until there is a big manure spill.”“We have a treasure in the land base. It’s as much of a resource as fisheries.”3.2.2 Representative comments related to recreationExamples of recreational considerations were boating, hunting, fishing. Maintaining a viablerecreational area was extremely important to participants. Focus group participants expressedtheir concern that degradation of the land and water resources could threaten recreationalopportunities. Aversion to a regulatory environment akin to the Adirondack Park was clearly onthe minds off several of the participants.“Fish are out there, but not as big and not as many. This, of course, affects the whole economy:house rentals, restaurants, retail trade.”“There is too much pressure on wild populations in streams.”“[There has been a] huge increase in different types of recreational uses throughout the entirewatershed – snowmobiles, horseback riding, ATVs, whatever.”“I have seen a change in social needs; need more recreational opportunities for off-work hours.This has increased over 20 years.”“In recent years big boats have left the pond, which is an economic sting; can’t get the boat in thechannel any longer. Three or four years ago, Sandy Pond Channel Maintenance Associationsolicited funds from members for dredging the channel.”“Land used to be worth what you could produce off it; now it’s driven by recreational use.”3.3 Intact forests and high quality streamsA third important element for the participants is intact forests and high quality streams.Participants reported that water quality had improved in the watershed over the past several yearsand wanted to sustain that improvement. There was clear
component of a broader effort to develop an ecosystem-based management plan for this region of eastern Lake Ontario and its watershed. Ecosystem-based management is an adaptive, integrated approach to managing resources for a sustainable future. The goal is to manage the entire ecosystem, including humans, in a way that
Sandy Springs City Hall Morgan Falls Office Park 7840 Roswell Rd., Suite 501 Sandy Springs, GA 30350 770.730.5600 Sandy Springs Regional Library 395 Mt. Vernon Hwy., NE Sandy Springs, GA 30328 404.303.6130 Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex 6500 Vernon Woods Drive Sandy
SANDY: You do. But I'm still the same girl I was last summer. Just because you give me your ring doesn't mean we're gonna go all the way. (Sandy opens the car door, and gets out) DANNY: Hey, Sandy, wait a minute. SANDY: I'm sorry, Danny maybe we better just forget about it. (Sandy slams car door on Danny's hand)
EcoSystem Bus and supports system programming All EcoSystem Bus programming is completed by using the EcoSystem Programmer, GRAFIK Eye QS Control Unit with EcoSystem Lighting Control System, or QuantumTM Software EcoSystem Bus Wiring EcoSystem Ballast Bus terminals only acc
Athens Jason Rumler Atlanta Emma Jackson Austin Trinity Vogel Beaumont Katelyn Dickerson Bedford Nataly Garza Big Sandy Jon Ferguson, II Big Sandy James Little Big Sandy Brayden Payne Big Sandy Monaka Rash Big Sandy Thomas Steen Carlsbad, NM Brock Gardner Carthage Kenya Sanders College Station Lindy
1999: Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management Ecosystem Principles Advisory Panel 2013: Implementing Ecosystem-Based Management – A Report to the National Ocean Council Ocean Research Advisory Panel 2014: Ecosystem Sciences and Management Working Group – Exploration of EBF
Enterprise Risk Management Framework as an Ecosystem 2 1 ECOSYSTEM 1.1 WHAT IS AN ECOSYSTEM? An ecosystem is a complex set of living things (plants, animals, and organisms) interacting with each other, and with their non‐living environment (weather, earth, sun, soil, climate, and atmosphere)3. Ecosystems vary significantly in size
DigiTech / Johnson 8760 S.Sandy Parkway Sandy,Utah 84070,USA Date:May 25,2001 European Contact:Your local DigiTech / Johnson Sales and Service Office or Harman Music Group 8760 South Sandy Parkway Sandy,Utah 84070 USA Ph:(801) 566-8800 Fax:(801) 568-7573 Warranty
AngularJS Tutorial W3SCHOOLS.com AngularJS extends HTML with new attributes. AngularJS is perfect for Single Page Applications (SPAs). AngularJS is easy to learn. This Tutorial This tutorial is specially designed to help you learn AngularJS as quickly and efficiently as possible. First, you will learn the basics of AngularJS: directives, expressions, filters, modules, and controllers. Then you .
